When the new school year begins in August it will bring a brand new look for Ector County ISD schools - middle schools that house grades 6, 7, & 8. That means all of this year's 5^th & 6^th graders will be changing campuses and moving up from elementary school.

With the switch to a middle school grade alignment will also come a name change for what is currently John B. Hood Junior High. In August the Board of Trustees approved a recommendation from a committee of community members to rename the school Wilson & Young Medal of Honor Middle School. The change, which includes a new mascot and new school colors, goes into effect in August. If you don't know who Wilson & Young are, please take a moment to read this story about them.

A big thanks to the Odessa Jackalopes for hosting Pease Elementary Family Night on February 27. Pease brought a big group - about 300 people, and assistant principal Stacey Molyneaux delivered the national anthem!

The World Class Leader in Education for February 2015 is Becky Morris, dyslexia interventionist at Milam Elementary. Becky has held that position at Milam since 2009, and prior to that she taught 4th grade at Milam for two years, she was a reading intervention teacher at Milam and Reagan, a reading tutor at Blackshear, a 2nd grade teacher at Reagan for ten years, and a 4th grade teacher in Carroll ISD for 4 years.

Her resume includes roles as a guided reading model classroom teacher, reading tutor, writing tutor, after-school magnet teacher, student mentor, and teacher mentor among other activities. She was Milam's Teacher of the Year in 2010 and received a grant of more than $5,000 for a "Dramatic Fluency" project in 2013.

Becky is known as a true professional, a teacher with a wealth of knowledge who is always willing to share. Colleagues say she has the keen ability to reach all level of students. Her ability to plan engaging lessons with a true focus and intent, help her students reach high levels of success. She does not give up and uses her "cheerleader spirit" to equip her students with a happy outlook on all situations. Her relationship with parents is helpful, engaging and she is highly respected.

She is pictured with Superintendent of Schools Tom Crowe (right) and Trustee Ray Beaty, D.C.